Hello,

As the subject states, I’ve encountered the following issue: the Tapo C230 cameras are producing crackling and white noise in Live Preview mode as well as in the actual recorded video files.

Less than a week ago, I purchased a Tapo C230 camera (installed at the hallway entrance, referred to as TapoC230Door), which worked flawlessly (both video and audio) for about 3–4 days. Then I purchased a second Tapo C230 camera (TapoC230Dorm) for the opposite corner of the apartment, in the bedroom (no, not for naughty stuff ).

After setting up the second camera, I opened the Tapo app the next day and was prompted to update its firmware to version V1.3.1, which I did.

Following the update and restart, I noticed the camera producing strange noises—crackling and white noise—in Live Preview, Playback mode, and in the video files downloaded from the camera.

To rule out the possibility of a faulty microSD card, I tried swapping them. However, since the issue also occurs in Live Preview, I believe the microSD card is not the root cause.

Here are the cards I tested:

• SanDisk Extreme 64GB – U3, V30, SDXC I, A2, 160MB/s (used in a GoPro)

• Kingston Canvas Select Plus 64GB – 100MB/s, Class 10, U1, V10, A1, UHS-I

• SanDisk Ultra microSDXC 128GB – 140MB/s, A1, Class 10, UHS-I (currently in the first C230, formerly used in a DJI Mavic drone)

• SanDisk Ultra 64GB – Class 10, U1, SDXC I, 120MB/s (currently in the second C230)

After some extended online research, I used the TapoC230Dorm as a test device and tried the following:

• Rebooting the camera

• Factory resetting

• Adjusting mic input levels (low to high)

• Changing frame rate

• Powering the camera directly from an APC Back-UPS ES 850G2 (to rule out power line noise)

• Changing router settings (I use two routers: a main router and an AP - TP-Link Archer C6)

Main Router Settings Tested:

• Switched from auto to 2.4GHz

• Tested channels: Auto, 1, 6, 11

• Switched from Mixed Mode to IEEE 802.11n Only

• Bandwidth: Auto, 20MHz, and 40MHz

• Reduced transmit power to 70–80% from 100%

I then connected the camera to the second router (set as AP) and applied the same network changes.

Apparently, there is a new firmware version available on your website, but it does not appear when searching for updates through the app:

Link: https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/tapo-c230/#Firmware-Release-Notes
Firmware: Tapo C230(EU)_V1_1.3.2 Build 250604
Published: 2025-07-10

I can provide video samples clearly showing the issue.

These cameras are intended to provide evidence for local authorities, so I need to know whether this can be resolved in a timely manner or if I should proceed with returning them.

Thanks!